2024 Mentor Teacher

Summer Academy 2024 Mentor Teacher
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham.
We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city. Together, we're creating a Durham where all students succeed.
As a result of structural racism, poverty and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first generation college-bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We want to change the odds for children in our community.
The Work
Our Summer Academy staff are excited to facilitate learning and create an environment for students to succeed. At Summer Academy, we are committed to helping our students feel success and growth by providing thoughtful, intentional academic experiences, and sharing our own excitement around academic content.
Mentor Teachers are a crucial support for teachers at Student U's Summer Academy. Each mentor supports a cohort of 4-6 teachers during the instructional day at Student U's Summer Academy in one content area (Math, Science, English, Global Connect (Social Studies), or electives). We believe our classrooms should reflect best practices in instruction, encourage academic rigor, develop critical thinking skills, and engage students in becoming change agents in their communities. Student U provides curriculum for all content classes taught at Summer Academy, and Mentor Teachers work to ensure new educators have the tools they need to implement and assess each unit with fidelity. This role is designed for an experienced educator who will enjoy coaching brand-new and novice teachers, guiding new educators to implement Student U's curriculum, ensuring Student U classrooms are culturally responsive and support the whole child, and contributing as a part of the larger Student U community.
Requirements
Pre-Summer Responsibilities (April - May 2024, 20 hours total)

• Attend Mentor Teacher training & pre-summer staff gatherings
• April 2, 2024, 5:00-7:00 PM: Mentor Teacher Training 1 (in-person)
• April 13, 2024, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM: Summer Staff Launch (in-person)
• April 16, 2024, 5:00-6:30 PM: Mentor Teacher Training 2 (virtual)
• May 14, 2024, 5:00-6:30: Mentor Teacher Training 3 (virtual)
• May 28, 2024, 5:00-6:30: All-Staff Meeting (virtual)
• Read and become familiar with curriculum materials teachers will be implementing
• Collaborate with Program staff to plan and prepare teacher orientation as needed

Teacher Orientation Responsibilities (June 10-21, 2024*; approximately 20 hours/week; in person)

• Participate in and/or lead appropriate Teacher Orientation sessions (ex. Classroom Management, Race & Identity, Differentiation, Engaging Students, etc.)
• Guide cohort of teachers through the process of internalizing and preparing to teach content area lesson plans
• Lead new teachers in Lesson Demonstrations and implementation practice
• Prepare Student U teachers to create an effective, positive classroom setting
• *Notes:
• Student U is closed June 19, 2024 to observe Juneteenth.
• Due to required end of year teacher workdays, Mentor Teachers currently working in a school will be excused from Summer Teacher Orientation as needed.

Summer Academy Responsibilities (June 24 -July 31, 2024; approximately 20 hours/week; in-person)

• Support a cohort of five Student U Summer Academy teachers.
• Ensure teachers are effectively preparing to teacher their curriculum (internalizing lessons, revising materials, etc)
• Observe classes and meet individually teachers to reflect on their practice
• Provide feedback/coaching regarding effective instruction, classroom management, teaching methods, and building positive, inclusive classroom culture
• Be available by phone and email during the week to answer questions and offer support to summer teachers
• Conduct a end-of-summer meeting/reflection for all teachers in cohort
• Ensure each teacher's pre- and post- assessments are scored and documented using structures provided by Student U
• Participate in weekly Mentor Teacher meetings
• Participate in weekly Mentor Teacher meetings
• Identify program-wide teacher needs and help facilitate weekly professional development support for teachers
• Provide ongoing feedback to Student U Program Team on curriculum and learning environment at Summer Academy
• Engage positively in the wider Student U community, sharing passion for teaching, learning, and leading

Post-summer Curriculum Revisions (August 1-16, 2024; 10 hours total; remote/virtual)

• Using a variety of feedback from the summer (observational data, survey and focus group feedback, student growth data), revise Student U curriculum materials to strengthen for use in Summer Academy 2025.

Benefits
Anti-Discrimination Policy & Commitment to Equity & Child Safeguarding Policy

• Student U is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within our organization where people from various backgrounds can participate fully and equitably, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to our mission.
• Student U has a commitment to ensuring the safety of our students. All staff will participate in a mental health training for young people, safety training, and Restorative Practices training during orientation.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of two years teaching experience
• Commitment to the Student U model and passion for teaching
• Understanding of and appreciation for the adolescent child
• Outstanding knowledge of subject matter/content area
• Excitement to teach, support, and inspire new educators

• Ability to work effectively in many different environments with people from diverse backgrounds

• Ability to deliver positive, constructive, and honest feedback
• Strong organizational skills
• Belief in Student U's mission, vision and core values

Benefits
Compensation: $22/hour (approximately 20 hours/week)
Preferred Deadline: Rolling deadline with preference given to applications submitted by January 5, 2024